The world’s largest athletic apparel company, Nike has cut its relationship with Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving.
This comes a day after the Nets suspended Irving for a minimum of five games for his promotion of a film containing anti-Semitic material and his subsequent choice not to offer any kind of apology for a week.
Nike also announced in its press statement on Friday, Nov. 4, that it will not launch the Kyrie 8, the latest version of Irving’s signature sneaker.
“At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of anti-Semitism,” the statement read.
“To that end, we’ve made the decision to suspend our relationship with Kyrie Irving effective immediately and will no longer launch the Kyrie 8. We are deeply saddened a disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone,” it added.
On Oct. 27, Irving shared via Twitter the link to a film entitled, “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” which contains anti-Semitic material.
In ensuing conversations with the media, Irving fell short of issuing a clear apology and got into an argumentative exchange with a reporter when pressed on the subject.
Despite condemnations from Nets owner Joe Tsai and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Irving held his ground until the Nets announced the suspension, saying that Irving must complete “a series of objective remedial measures that address the harmful impact of his conduct,” as he is “currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”
As of posting time, Irving’s status with the Nets remains unclear, but should the five-game suspension hold Irving would be able to return to action on Nov. 13 when the Nets take on the Lakers in Los Angeles.
